Residents have expressed shock at the 'terrifying' report of the rape of a woman in a Wimbledon Park.

The 34-year-old woman was walking home from Wimbledon through Dundonald Recreation Ground in Dundonald Road at about 1.30am on Sunday when she said she was attacked by a man she did not know.

Earlier today: Woman 'raped as she walked home alone' through a Wimbledon park

Diane Robertson, 47, who lives nearby in Wilton Crescent, said: "I would walk home from Wimbledon after nights out and it would never occur to me that it’s not safe at all.

"I have lived here about 18 years and there’s never been anything like that.

"Everyone I know of has no qualms walking back from Wimbledon station. It’s always been very safe but now I wouldn’t do that.

"I would definitely get a taxi rather than walk alone now."

Wimbledon Times:

A forensic tent at the park

She said: "Every time I’ve walked down this road there’s always been people around. I’ve never walked that way and not seen a few people. You would normally feel safe."

Cornelio Mesada, 19, works as a shop assistant at Dundonald Off License, just across the street.

He said: "I was really shocked. When I first came to work yesterday morning I saw three policemen standing over there and could see something had happened.

"It’s very unusual here. It’s usually quite quiet. This is the first time I have ever heard of something like this happening."

He added: "It’s made me more worried about my own safety, especially at night where you never know if someone is watching you as you’re walking home.

"You have to be careful."

The woman was taken to the Haven Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

No arrests have been made and officers from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command are investigating.

Guy Rogers, 53, of Quintin Avenue, said: "This comes as a bit of a shock really. You don’t really want to see things happening anywhere, especially not on your doorstep.

Wimbledon Times:

The corner of Dundonald Recreation Park has been cordoned off by police

"I was walking the dog a few nights ago, before the attack. It was about 7pm and pitch black, but I have lights on my wheelchair so it doesn’t matter.

"My dog suddenly looked back and turned his head a bit, and I felt a presence of someone standing or lurking behind me.

"I didn’t see him, but I left quickly. I don’t know if someone has been stalking the area."

Ian Munroe, 43, a lecturer in fine art at the nearby University of the Arts London, said: "As a teacher and as a father it’s scary. It’s absolutely terrifying.

"I always eat lunch here when the weather is nice. To see this, especially so close to a primary school, is really scary."

"We tend to think of different neighbourhoods being worse or better but it seems violence happens absolutely everywhere.

He added: "Violence against women is just so unacceptable and it needs to be handled so much harsher than it is.

"It’s ridiculous and awful and life changing for women, and attackers need to be dealt with far more severely."

Anyone with any information should call the police on 020 8721 4106 or 101.

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